RE: [SPAM] Re: Just wanted to say hi HELEN

[Guest guest]

Helen,

I have so been thinking about you and Matt since was diagnosed. I

was just fortunate enough that they had a cancellation due to the holidays

and I was not going to say no to the appointment. They tested for almost 3

hours then had me go take a break why they did there thing then called me

back in and told me. I honestly did not think they were going to diagnoses

her when we took our break because I SO thought she did wonderful with them.

She even sat on the floor a few times to take the toy from them. But I will

tell you I do feel that sense of relief we were talking about. I so hope it

happens for you and Matt soon. I can only imagine what you must be going

through and it breaks my heart. I’m here for you Helen for anything you

need just remember that :-)

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Helen & Andy Coppins

Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 2:12 PM

To:

Subject: [sPAM] Re: Just wanted to say hi

Hi

Helen here, from Downsyn. Don't know if you posted it on there, but glad/sad

to see it's official, and you can move forward with this new diagnosis.

's had that many in her life, it's just another hurdle to overcome.

But do give yourself time to digest this one. She's a gorgeous kid, and so

pretty.

I have no further advice. We're still a couple of steps behind you. But just

wanted to offer you my support - whatever forum I'm speaking to you on! And

lots of empathy being sent your way too! Give that gorgeous girl a hug from

us, and keep fighting for her.

Cheers

Helen & Matt 3 1/2

Re: Just wanted to say hi

First off, welcome to the support group, ! We are all here

for you and are happy to have you join us.

Second, I have to ask this because I have also dealt with the things

you are dealing with now. Is it possible for you to relocate? Only

reason I ask is because, I also used to live in an area that did not

treat my son, Landon, as he should have been treated. In fact, they

didn't not even diagnose his dual Ds-Autism until he was 13 1/2 years

old. The area I live in now, while small, is the perfect place for

Landon to grow up and the schools here are amazing. But I had to

relocate for him to get this type of care and schooling. I would not

have this advantage for him if I'd stayed in the area I was in before.

The school district is responsible for providing the education, yes,

but sometimes, the education they provide is substandard, and I'm very

suprised that in this day and age, so many small communities do not

have these types of things already in place. One would think that

people would get with the times already.

The IQ thing baffles me. The testing procedures are so unreliable that

even for any other child, I would disreguard all of those. Landon

knows way more than we(my family and our community) give him credit

for sometimes, but he's non verbal and doesn't write, so how the heck

is someone else, who doesn't even know him, going to determine his IQ?

Same should be said about your child. She knows way more than those

people know about I assure you, so please, do not go by that IQ thing,

it's complete crap. As for her level of function as an adult, no one

could determine such a thing at this age. I was told that Landon would

be a 3 year old all his life. In certain ways, he probably is, but

there are other ways that he is just like any other 15 year old child.

Moody, has an attitude, independant(or wants to be), likes his

privacy(hormones are scaring me). He can count, knows his ABCs, and

can spell, even though he can't even write. So, maybe in some ways he

only fuctions as a certain age, but in others, he's right on schedule.

I do wish you luck with your schooling situation, you should speak

with a superintendant, or even speak to another district altogether.

You need to know what options are available everywhere.

(Mom to Landon age 15 Ds-Autism, Skylar age 11 1/2 ADD, Hunter age 8

1/2 ADHD)

>

> Hi! My name is and I wrote a few months ago. My

> daughter's name is and she is 3 1/2 years old and the

> youngest of my 5 children. On Wed. she was officially diagnosed

> with the dual diagnosis of Ds and Autism. Part of me feels relief

> that I now know why she is not like the other children with Ds.

>

> My question is this to you please. I have no idea first where to

> begin, I live in a small rural area where there are no services, the

> school here is a joke and I am in the process of filing a due

> process hearing so can go to another school where there is

> a special education class, right now she litterally goes to a day

> care that the school says is appropriate. They do not know yet

> about her dual diagnosis.

>

> My second question is how many of you did they give an IQ score to.

> They told me that 's IQ was 24 and that put her in the

> severely mentally retarded (I hate that word) range. That was a

> shock to hear as I was not expecting that. They said that she would

> most likely be at a 2 year old level as an adult. Isn't it too soon

> for them to make that prediction?

>

> Any advice and help would greatly be appreciated becasue I truley am

> at a loss on what to do or how to help my daughter. Thank you in

> advance.

>